Sending Audio to Lights

Spectralite captures audio from any input device (microphone, line-in, aggregate device, loopback) and passes it to effect nodes. Use it to make lighting react to a live band, a DJ set, or a track that you rehearse to.

Enable audio inputCopy Anchor Link

1. Open Edit > Inputs > Audio.
2. Pick a device in the Audio Device dropdown. Default uses the system default input. A named entry forces that specific device.
3. Turn on Audio-reactive effects.

The Audio Spectrum panel then shows a live FFT. Check it to confirm that audio arrives.

Capturing system audioCopy Anchor Link

Spectralite records from a standard input device. To capture the computer's own output, route it through a loopback device such as BlackHole, Loopback.app, or an aggregate device:

1. Create the loopback device.
2. Route the source application through it.
3. Pick that device in the Audio Input dialog.

Using audio in effectsCopy Anchor Link

Quick winsCopy Anchor Link

• Use an Audio Level or Audio Level Decay node for a single overall-loudness value (0 to 1).
• Use an Audio Bands or Audio Bands Decay node for a six-band split: sub, bass, mid-bass, low-mid, upper-mid, treble.
• Use an Audio Spectrum Range node to pull energy from a specific frequency window (for example, 40-80 Hz for kick drums).
• Use an Audio Reactive node for a smoothed value you can wire straight to brightness.

Beat-sync vs audio-reactiveCopy Anchor Link

Beat-sync (BPM and time nodes) is predictable and stays aligned to the bar. Audio-reactive effects follow the music. Combine them so the show stays on the grid and still follows changes in the music.

PitfallsCopy Anchor Link

• Silent lights. If the Audio Spectrum panel is empty, either audio input is off or macOS denies access to the device. Check the dialog's status and the system privacy settings.
• Gain mismatch. A quiet source produces low values, so scale them up in the effect. The Audio Reactive node has a sensitivity input for this.
• Pops and clicks. These are usually buffer underruns in the operating system. Raise the system audio buffer size or pick a device that fewer apps use.

RelatedCopy Anchor Link

• Audio Input Dialog
• Audio Spectrum Panel
• Input Nodes: full list of audio-reactive nodes.
• Beat Matcher: pairs well with audio-reactive effects.